Fruit basket



J. C. RAMSEY Jan.24,l933,

FRUIT BASKET Filed Aug. 5, 1951 Patented Jan. 24, 1933 UNITED STATESPATENT OFFICE JOHN C. RAMSEY, OF SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA, ASSIGNOR TO RAMSEYPACKAGE CORP., OF j SUFFOLK, VIRGINIA, A CORPORATION FRUIT BASKETApplication led August 5, 1931.

This invention relates to fruit baskets.

Among the objects of the invention are to prevent the bruising of thefruit when packed; to eliminate the necessity of lining the basket tovprevent bruising of the fruit; to provide a basket which will not warpafter long use; to provide a basket having a cover which will not bruisethe fruit when the cover and basket are assembled; to reduce the cost ofmaterials used in the construction of baskets; and to reduce time andlabor costs in the construction of baskets.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, the invention consists ofsuch parts and combinations of parts as are set forth in the claimsappended hereto.

In the accompanying drawing:

Figure 1 is a vertical section through a basket in accordance with thisinvention.

Fignre 2 is a top plan thereof.

Figure 3 is a fragmentary elevation thereof.

Figure 4 is ar fragmentary section taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 2.

Referring to the drawing in detail, the numeral 1 indicates a pluralityof spaced staves secured at their upper ends between an outer hoop 2 andan inner hoop 3, and further secured at their lower ends between anouter hoop 4 and an inner hoop 5. Substantially midway between the endsthereof, the staves are encircled by and secured to a hoop 6. Seated onthe hoop 5 is a bottom 7 which is provided with a downturned flange 8extending between and secured to the hoop 5 and staves 1.

The basket is provided with a cover 9 having an inclined marginalportion 10 seating on the upperl face of the hoop 2. Secured to andextending diametrically across the cover 9 is a securing strip 11,preferably formed of flexible wood. The ends of the strip 11 projectbeyond the inner extremities of the marginal portion 10 and extendthrough handle members 12 extending upwardly from the outer face of thehoop 2. Secured to and extending across the securing strip 11 at a rightangle thereto is a securing strip 13 of similar material. Projectingfrom the ends of the strip 13 are loops 14, preferably formed of SerialNo. 555,300.

wire, which receive therethrough readily bendable latching members 15extending upwardly from the inner face of the hoop 3. The peripheralface of the marginal portion 1() of the cover 9 is recessed as indicatedat 16 to receive the members 15.

In assembling the cover with respect to the basket, the latching members15 are inserted through the recesses 16 and loops 14, and end portionsof the securing strips 11 arey flexed slightly and inserted through thehandle members 12. End portions of the securing strip 13 are then flexedslightly and the projecting ends of the latching members 15 are bentaround the loops 14 to secure the cover in position. Instead ofemploying one securing strip 13 as shown, a greater number may beemployed, in which event they will be extended across the strip 11 atthe proper angle to space the ends of all the stripsV equally withrespect to the circumference of the basket.

The cover 9, bottom 7, and staves 1 preferably will be formed of paperto prevent warping of such parts and to eliminate the necessity oflining the basket to prevent the fruit from coming in contact with sharpedges in a manner causing the fruit to bruise.

It is to be understood that the basket herein illustrated and describedis to be consid-` ered as a preferred example of the invention, and thatchanges in the details of construction may be made, so long as suchchanges fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a basket of that type having an open top body portion and a coverfor said top, the combination of a pair of diametrically opposedupstanding handles of inverted yokeshape adapted to be secured to saidbody p0rtion exteriorly of the latter, a pair of upstanding,diametrically opposed bendable latching members adapted to be secured tosaid body portion interiorly of the latter and for extension through thecover, a lower flexible securing strip extending through and abuttingthe tops of said handle and adapted to be secured upon said cover, anupper flexible securing strip disposed at right angles to and securedcentrally thereof to the lower strip,;,

and loops carried by the ends of said upper strip, encompassing thelatching members and coacting with the latter when said niembers arebent outwardly upon themselves for securing the cover in closingposition With respect to the top of said body portion.

f2. In a basket, the combination of an open top body portion, a coverseated on the latter, a pair of upstanding diametrically opposed handlesarranged exteriorly of and anchored to said body portion, a lowersecuring strip disposed diametrically of and secured to said cover, saidstrip being flexible and of a length to extend through and abut saidhandles, an upper securing strip disposed upon, secured centrallythereof and extending at right an gles to said lower strip, said upperstrip being of less length than said lower strip, loops extended fromthe ends of the upper strip, and upstanding diametrically opposedbendable latching members secured to said body portion Withinthe latter,extending upwardly through said cover and loop and coacting With thelatter when bent upon themselves for latching the cover to the bodyportion.

In testimony whereof l affix my signature hereto.

JOHN C. RAMSEY.

